Well the season is pretty much over now, the British Champs were last weekend in Burnham On Sea, its a one off race where the best rider on the day secures themself the 01 plate.. But any place after First? You may as well have stayed at home!
I did have a pretty cool day finishing my motos 3 2 2 i felt strong and had the opporunity to get a good lane choice being the 3rd person to pick. So i went for 3. Michael Pinnock in 2 beside me, and Marco in 4 the other side. I was sressing before i even racked my wheel against the gate, 2 of the biggest guys in 19+ and both packing a serious gate. I snapped but Marco snapped harder I ended up in Pinnocks lane so whether Marco crossed or not, who knows, but undeniably his gate was awesome. I basically fought from last to 6th down the 2nd straight and remained there. So I never made it out of the semi. I was pretty pissed. My gates have been good recently but i really need to focus on them over the winter months whenever I can, as it is by far the most important aspect to being successful.
The rest of the day was cool, everyone was there so I floated about catching up with the south lot, the Northerners and EA crowd, watching the racing and cold chilling in the sun. It was awesome weather and the racing was hot come final time!
Tuffy doubled, stoked for the guy, hopefully he'll go Elite next year so i won't have to race his ass again! haha!
I've decided this winter to hit the gym, the first time in almost 8 years, but with no indoor on the cards it'll be essential to improve my performance for next year. What i definately can't lose sight of however, is track time. Getting out on the bike is the best training, and keeping your skills fresh is essential. So hopefully we'll have a mild winter and can ride my bike as much as possible.
I don't much fancy heading out into the peak district on my road bike on freezing cold, windy January nights, but i can see it happenning.
All this gym talk, late night training rides and working on my gates is all leading up to one thing, China 2008. My first worlds and I really want it to be as good an experience as i'm imagining it. I ain't going all that way to get Moto'd.
A chilled next few weeks, wind down before the big wind up.
China is on!
Friday, 31 August 2007
Thursday, 23 August 2007
The British Champs!
Well its not been a great week weather wise, though it seems to be picking up for t'weekend - awesome! The last weekend weren't great, although a good mash up session with my brothers from other Mothers, Will Cash Money, A to the T, Dale, The OC, and Steve we just had a few beers then hit the Forum for a couple of late ones, next thing i know i'm throwing down the shapes and it's all drum and bass up in your face for the next few hours coutesy of Dillinja and Lemon D - BIG! Easy my selector! haha A good old night, followed by some food with Will, we hardcored it whilst the others headed home, but not before trying to be Samaritans and almost getting into a full on street fight - Yeah!
Saturday i headed to a new track in Brampton with Pete, its more like a load of sessionable straights, it didn't really flow as one track, lines everywhere! None of the jumps were hard but they were pretty tech in places, we stuck it out and had a session for about 3 hours, then hit Rotherham but the rain and wind had set in good and proper so we headed back..
If it wasn't for Heroes i have no idea what i'd have done with the rest of my day! Its freaking brilliant! - Check it out!
Sunday a few of us went out on the road bikes which wasn't much fun, but its always rewarding, and with the weather being as it were, i didn't much fancy anything else!
This week has been much better Rotherham Monday, Mansfield Tuesday and Chessy last night.. So lots of riding and gates, i'm feeling good for the Brits this weekend! My gates seemed strong and consistant, which was weird! But i'm happy with that! I'm heading down on Friday and sticking round until Monday to have a session at Cheddar, so i'm looking forward to it! Can Tuffy do the double up?
Another big bit of news is i'm heading to China for the Worlds next year! They are in Taiyuan, which is about an hour south east of Beijing, looks a little like this..
Apparently. Just with SARS and possibly Avian Influenza.. Yummy! ;) I'm joking of course, just don't drink the water!
I hope the track is like the olympic one..
But i doubt it.. We can but hope. I'm sure the UCI and China will pull out all the stops though, China want to make an impression (like in every other sport they compete in) on the BMX scene. I'll be clipping in for this, i have decided to travel all that way and not have every bit of advantage would be madness, so don't hate me. I'll be back on flats before you can say Dan, you're a Kook!
And a job opportunity?? I'll keep you posted! :)
Byeee! x
Saturday i headed to a new track in Brampton with Pete, its more like a load of sessionable straights, it didn't really flow as one track, lines everywhere! None of the jumps were hard but they were pretty tech in places, we stuck it out and had a session for about 3 hours, then hit Rotherham but the rain and wind had set in good and proper so we headed back..
If it wasn't for Heroes i have no idea what i'd have done with the rest of my day! Its freaking brilliant! - Check it out!
Sunday a few of us went out on the road bikes which wasn't much fun, but its always rewarding, and with the weather being as it were, i didn't much fancy anything else!
This week has been much better Rotherham Monday, Mansfield Tuesday and Chessy last night.. So lots of riding and gates, i'm feeling good for the Brits this weekend! My gates seemed strong and consistant, which was weird! But i'm happy with that! I'm heading down on Friday and sticking round until Monday to have a session at Cheddar, so i'm looking forward to it! Can Tuffy do the double up?
Another big bit of news is i'm heading to China for the Worlds next year! They are in Taiyuan, which is about an hour south east of Beijing, looks a little like this..
Apparently. Just with SARS and possibly Avian Influenza.. Yummy! ;) I'm joking of course, just don't drink the water!
I hope the track is like the olympic one..
But i doubt it.. We can but hope. I'm sure the UCI and China will pull out all the stops though, China want to make an impression (like in every other sport they compete in) on the BMX scene. I'll be clipping in for this, i have decided to travel all that way and not have every bit of advantage would be madness, so don't hate me. I'll be back on flats before you can say Dan, you're a Kook!
And a job opportunity?? I'll keep you posted! :)
Byeee! x
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
No. 7 Bubba Stewart..
If I could make the number 7 look a millioneth as good as this man, i'd be stoked. James Bubba Stewart.. Dang!
National Number 7!
Hello everyone! Well its been about a week since the last update and it's been a really good one! I was off work and with the weather being as good as it has been I got out and rode every day, it has been pretty windy, but a morning session on the road bike, then hanging out with Alec and Warren through the afternoon to relax and a BMX session in the evening I had a cool time, I felt pretty strong, and reasonably confident for the national in Wales.
I drove down on the Friday morning with Lauren and the journey which is just shy of 200 miles took a little under 3 hours. I helped Lauren put her tent up, then went to ride the track, there were a few people there already and the session was a great deal of fun, we stayed there for about 4 hours, most of which i spent on the pro section, which was awesome. The track is great, a superfast downhill 1st straight with a tall step up with a nice steep landing, into a long low set of doubles, into a massive step up triple. The key here is to pick up nice and early and jump the double on top, which in itself isn't that small! Round the tarmac of turn one into the 2nd straight, a double, into a step up, step down into a long step up double, round turn 2 into the 3rd straight, which splits off right for the pro section, a long triple into a super steep double with no middle, a nice steep landing and into the next pro jump witch was as lippy but didn't have as nice a landing. The AM line on the 3rd straight is just 3 tiny doubles which are real hard to squash at speed. The last straight is tight, deep and very tech, races were won, and lost on this straight.
Late on friday Tuffy arrived and after warming up said he was thinking about jumping the entire step up triple into the 1st turn, this thing is huge! He pretty much nailed it after a couple of run ins, and it was freakin' awesome! I was tired, but buzzing off what i just saw, i had a couple of runs and felt fast, so thought to hell with it, go big, or go home! I was flying down the 1st straight but on trying to squash the 2nd double i tapped it, losing some speed, i then didn't pedal, on the take off i decided i wasn't going fast enough, but i was going far too fast to get through it clean, i got bucked off and thrown to the tarmac, in my potty and a tee shirt. Oof! I was okay, but i twisted my hip a bit and tore my back up.. i messed about on the pro section for a bit longer to beat the demons and then retired for a shower and some food.
That night i hung out in the bar with Tony Da Butcher, Scott Dick, Coach Lewis, Callum (happy 17th buddy!) and a few of the mid lanc crew, a good laugh!
Saturday was good fun, more sunshine and a good hour open practise, not really in need of track time, i focussed on the big step up triple, my first attempt wasn't pretty a front wheeler, i have no idea how i held on, but i went back to start hill knowing i had to pull lots, its about a 5 foot step up, maybe more, and over that sort of length you need to pull.. Attempt 2 i was over it smooth as a buttun, i was stoked! I had another go at it and floated it, absolutely buzzing! i don't there has ever been a jump that scared me more than that thing!
It was about a 5 hour wait until our gate session, so i went checked my bike over trued my wheel (haha) and ate some food. Gates went well and i felt pretty good. We then had a fund raising pump race for Stephen Murray, that was a lot of fun, i went out early, just chilling, and took over the commentary, which i enjoyed! I think £146 was raised, every little bit helps. Stay Strong Stephen!
The one shit thing was no class other than pro being allowed to jump the pro section in racing, this was bullshit, but rules are rules.. the AM line of the 3rd straight is so small its dangerous! Pro sections should be optional!
Saturday night had some pro food and got my sleep on for the big race on Sunday. I got up nice and early to sort eerything out, warm up properly, do some stretching and eat a good breakfast. Moto 1 was a mess, i ended up tangling with everything and everyone and finished in 6th, i was bummed, but moto 2 came about and i got a 2nd to Cal, it was a stacked moto so it gave me a boost. Moto 3 was again pretty stacked and i managed to get 2nd again, so with 10 points i made the semi nicely. I got 5th pick which allowed me a choice on lane 3, Tuffy next to me in 2 and Issit in 4.. Sheesh.
Me on plate 6 in moto 2.. Having it!
I got a good gate but Tuffys was incredible, but then disaster he slipped and fell off his pedals, TUFFY OUT i thought, i was backing him from the beginning! Flem was leading it into turn one with me on his inside Issit had a mint 2nd straight and pulled by me for a slight lead putting me in 3rd, i knew Tuffy would be fookin' having it, and sure enough, down the last straight he came by me like i was stood still, Tuffy 3rd, and DC in 4th into the main. It was good enough for me, i just hoped with Tuffys 3rd he could get a decent enough lane pick.
Semi Final, Flem in 1, Me in 2, Goodman 3 Issit in 4th.. Where the hell is Tuffs?!
Come main time i was forced into the exile that is lane 7 with Richardson in 8 I think, I wheelied out of the gate all the wa to the 10 meter line - Nooo! I then managed to ram Flem in turn one, who by this point i think had given up the title chase, i passed Flem in the last turn for a pretty poor 7th (out of 23 on the day), but still double points mattered and being in the main meant i ended the year with the National Number 7 plate!
Tuffy kept Calum at bay and managed to take the race and the National Number 1 plate - I was totally stoked for the youth, he's had a tough couple of years recently, and he got a break, he totally deserved it. Nice one youth!
All in all an awesome weekend, a top 8 finish, nailed that massive jump, had good sessions on the pro section and had a pretty fun time with everyone!
One more race to go, the British Champs in Burnham in 2 weeks time.. Time to get my A-game on point!
I drove down on the Friday morning with Lauren and the journey which is just shy of 200 miles took a little under 3 hours. I helped Lauren put her tent up, then went to ride the track, there were a few people there already and the session was a great deal of fun, we stayed there for about 4 hours, most of which i spent on the pro section, which was awesome. The track is great, a superfast downhill 1st straight with a tall step up with a nice steep landing, into a long low set of doubles, into a massive step up triple. The key here is to pick up nice and early and jump the double on top, which in itself isn't that small! Round the tarmac of turn one into the 2nd straight, a double, into a step up, step down into a long step up double, round turn 2 into the 3rd straight, which splits off right for the pro section, a long triple into a super steep double with no middle, a nice steep landing and into the next pro jump witch was as lippy but didn't have as nice a landing. The AM line on the 3rd straight is just 3 tiny doubles which are real hard to squash at speed. The last straight is tight, deep and very tech, races were won, and lost on this straight.
Late on friday Tuffy arrived and after warming up said he was thinking about jumping the entire step up triple into the 1st turn, this thing is huge! He pretty much nailed it after a couple of run ins, and it was freakin' awesome! I was tired, but buzzing off what i just saw, i had a couple of runs and felt fast, so thought to hell with it, go big, or go home! I was flying down the 1st straight but on trying to squash the 2nd double i tapped it, losing some speed, i then didn't pedal, on the take off i decided i wasn't going fast enough, but i was going far too fast to get through it clean, i got bucked off and thrown to the tarmac, in my potty and a tee shirt. Oof! I was okay, but i twisted my hip a bit and tore my back up.. i messed about on the pro section for a bit longer to beat the demons and then retired for a shower and some food.
That night i hung out in the bar with Tony Da Butcher, Scott Dick, Coach Lewis, Callum (happy 17th buddy!) and a few of the mid lanc crew, a good laugh!
Saturday was good fun, more sunshine and a good hour open practise, not really in need of track time, i focussed on the big step up triple, my first attempt wasn't pretty a front wheeler, i have no idea how i held on, but i went back to start hill knowing i had to pull lots, its about a 5 foot step up, maybe more, and over that sort of length you need to pull.. Attempt 2 i was over it smooth as a buttun, i was stoked! I had another go at it and floated it, absolutely buzzing! i don't there has ever been a jump that scared me more than that thing!
It was about a 5 hour wait until our gate session, so i went checked my bike over trued my wheel (haha) and ate some food. Gates went well and i felt pretty good. We then had a fund raising pump race for Stephen Murray, that was a lot of fun, i went out early, just chilling, and took over the commentary, which i enjoyed! I think £146 was raised, every little bit helps. Stay Strong Stephen!
The one shit thing was no class other than pro being allowed to jump the pro section in racing, this was bullshit, but rules are rules.. the AM line of the 3rd straight is so small its dangerous! Pro sections should be optional!
Saturday night had some pro food and got my sleep on for the big race on Sunday. I got up nice and early to sort eerything out, warm up properly, do some stretching and eat a good breakfast. Moto 1 was a mess, i ended up tangling with everything and everyone and finished in 6th, i was bummed, but moto 2 came about and i got a 2nd to Cal, it was a stacked moto so it gave me a boost. Moto 3 was again pretty stacked and i managed to get 2nd again, so with 10 points i made the semi nicely. I got 5th pick which allowed me a choice on lane 3, Tuffy next to me in 2 and Issit in 4.. Sheesh.
Me on plate 6 in moto 2.. Having it!
I got a good gate but Tuffys was incredible, but then disaster he slipped and fell off his pedals, TUFFY OUT i thought, i was backing him from the beginning! Flem was leading it into turn one with me on his inside Issit had a mint 2nd straight and pulled by me for a slight lead putting me in 3rd, i knew Tuffy would be fookin' having it, and sure enough, down the last straight he came by me like i was stood still, Tuffy 3rd, and DC in 4th into the main. It was good enough for me, i just hoped with Tuffys 3rd he could get a decent enough lane pick.
Semi Final, Flem in 1, Me in 2, Goodman 3 Issit in 4th.. Where the hell is Tuffs?!
Come main time i was forced into the exile that is lane 7 with Richardson in 8 I think, I wheelied out of the gate all the wa to the 10 meter line - Nooo! I then managed to ram Flem in turn one, who by this point i think had given up the title chase, i passed Flem in the last turn for a pretty poor 7th (out of 23 on the day), but still double points mattered and being in the main meant i ended the year with the National Number 7 plate!
Tuffy kept Calum at bay and managed to take the race and the National Number 1 plate - I was totally stoked for the youth, he's had a tough couple of years recently, and he got a break, he totally deserved it. Nice one youth!
All in all an awesome weekend, a top 8 finish, nailed that massive jump, had good sessions on the pro section and had a pretty fun time with everyone!
One more race to go, the British Champs in Burnham in 2 weeks time.. Time to get my A-game on point!
Sunday, 5 August 2007
Summer lovin'.. Happened so fast!
Today was the inter-regional at Mansfield it was an awesome day! The weather was bang-cris! haha Pure summer steez, it was pretty windy again, but if you didn't think about it too much it didn't make much difference. There were only 19 riders in masterclass but there was some big names up in the place.. Liam Batey, Tuffy, Lillingstone, Matt Allen, Tricker, Cheetham, Bromfield, Bailey & Jay amongst others.
Pro racer, Alec Townley decided not to race, he's over it.. instead he decided to smash his face into the floor after riding into a drainage ditch and catapulting himself over the bars and head first straight to hell! He smashed his nose in and hurt his neck, he looked super bummed, and was well mad, i know he is just got a lot on right now and hasn't had much bike time, he'll be back on it soon! Trust!
Liam "roll back" Batey took the win with Tuffy hot on his heels, followed closely again by Lillingstone with me in 4th by a whisp, John and I dragged down the final straight but it wasn't to be and i settled for 4th, but i was pretty stoked! I took a 1 4 1 in motos and 2nd in the semi to Tuffy, so i had a strong day.
The weather was mint, the atmosphere was great, and it was cool to see the Ipswich/Norwich crew. Alec and I joined Joey Gough and Steve Williams in town for a few swift ones last night, it was pretty funny! Just what i needed after a sweet day at the trails!
A quick "Get Well Soon" to my team manager Rich Camm, he took a big fall yesterday breaking his left collarbone.. Get well soon fella.. And if you want anyone to look after your new CRF you know where i am.. ;)
An awesome weekend, and I just hope the week ahead stays sunny for my time off!
Its my boy Will "Cash-Monies" birthday tomorrow - Awesome bro! Have a mint one, i'll be in touch!
Ciao! x
Pro racer, Alec Townley decided not to race, he's over it.. instead he decided to smash his face into the floor after riding into a drainage ditch and catapulting himself over the bars and head first straight to hell! He smashed his nose in and hurt his neck, he looked super bummed, and was well mad, i know he is just got a lot on right now and hasn't had much bike time, he'll be back on it soon! Trust!
Liam "roll back" Batey took the win with Tuffy hot on his heels, followed closely again by Lillingstone with me in 4th by a whisp, John and I dragged down the final straight but it wasn't to be and i settled for 4th, but i was pretty stoked! I took a 1 4 1 in motos and 2nd in the semi to Tuffy, so i had a strong day.
The weather was mint, the atmosphere was great, and it was cool to see the Ipswich/Norwich crew. Alec and I joined Joey Gough and Steve Williams in town for a few swift ones last night, it was pretty funny! Just what i needed after a sweet day at the trails!
A quick "Get Well Soon" to my team manager Rich Camm, he took a big fall yesterday breaking his left collarbone.. Get well soon fella.. And if you want anyone to look after your new CRF you know where i am.. ;)
An awesome weekend, and I just hope the week ahead stays sunny for my time off!
Its my boy Will "Cash-Monies" birthday tomorrow - Awesome bro! Have a mint one, i'll be in touch!
Ciao! x
Saturday, 4 August 2007
G.Y.P.O
Yo! Gwarn?!
Been off work since Wednesday, got plenty of jobs done, including finishing off my van, looks awesome in there.. Hmm Cosy! I also did some work at the Bolehills in the sunshine, had some sessions, rode my road bike, and pretty much wasn't in work.. Bonus.
I wish i was someplace that had a beach, the sun, 37 degrees temps and the holiday vibe. I should have just bloody well gone. Damnit.
Oh well, i'll make the next week off count too!
Today i headed over to GYPO trails in Cleethorpes and had one of the best days riding all year! The session went off! It was mad busy, a real chilled vibe going down, loads of riders, the big beats ands breaks, friends, BBQ a sea breeze and sunshine. Perfect. Athough the breeze was pretty intense at times! I was there for almost 6 hours and had a load of fun, the main line is sick, especially the hipped line that took me a while to actually discover! The track/trails session was cool, hips, berms and trails everywhere! lots of laughs and a rea good ride! I'll hopfully get some pictures soon.
Ben Richardson and Stodgey (sp?) were throwing it down all over the shop.. Awesome skills! Joey was in the place and tore it up until she bailed her frame and bent it at the headtube.. Oof! Going great til then.. Someones Dad was there, but he said he wasn't anyones Dad, his name was Steve Williams, he just looked a bit miserable. and old.
Just joking Steve!! ;)
A rad session.. Mansfield tomorrow, hope i packed my A Game!
laters x
Been off work since Wednesday, got plenty of jobs done, including finishing off my van, looks awesome in there.. Hmm Cosy! I also did some work at the Bolehills in the sunshine, had some sessions, rode my road bike, and pretty much wasn't in work.. Bonus.
I wish i was someplace that had a beach, the sun, 37 degrees temps and the holiday vibe. I should have just bloody well gone. Damnit.
Oh well, i'll make the next week off count too!
Today i headed over to GYPO trails in Cleethorpes and had one of the best days riding all year! The session went off! It was mad busy, a real chilled vibe going down, loads of riders, the big beats ands breaks, friends, BBQ a sea breeze and sunshine. Perfect. Athough the breeze was pretty intense at times! I was there for almost 6 hours and had a load of fun, the main line is sick, especially the hipped line that took me a while to actually discover! The track/trails session was cool, hips, berms and trails everywhere! lots of laughs and a rea good ride! I'll hopfully get some pictures soon.
Ben Richardson and Stodgey (sp?) were throwing it down all over the shop.. Awesome skills! Joey was in the place and tore it up until she bailed her frame and bent it at the headtube.. Oof! Going great til then.. Someones Dad was there, but he said he wasn't anyones Dad, his name was Steve Williams, he just looked a bit miserable. and old.
Just joking Steve!! ;)
A rad session.. Mansfield tomorrow, hope i packed my A Game!
laters x
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